Kent State had the third-best scoring defense of all Mid-American Conference teams this season, along with the second-best rushing defense, the most interceptions (22) and the best turnover margin at plus-20. The Golden Flashes forced 35 turnovers, which was 13 more than the second-best mark.

So what does this mean for Western Michigan? If Heacock follows Hazell to Purdue, Kent State could decide to bring in a brand new staff, rather than look to promote Heacock or offensive coordinator Brian Rock.

Rock was believed to be an initial candidate for the Western Michigan position and has strong ties to the program. However, there has been no official confirmation that Rock was or still is in the mix at WMU.

The question that has to be asked is what does WMU have to offer a potential head coach over fellow MAC member Kent State, or fellow mid-major Arkansas State, the Sun Belt champion that saw its coach Gus Malzahn leave for Auburn?

Wisconsin offensive coordinator Matt Canada is likely to be looking for a job with the surprising departure of head coach Bret Bielema to Arkansas. Canada knows the MAC and Western Michigan. He was the offensive coordinator for a Northern Illinois team in 2011 that embarrassed the WMU defense. Canada helped coach up quarterbacks Chandler Harnish and Jordan Lynch. Canada had a previous stint at NIU from 1998-2003 as an offensive assistant coach. He then moved on to Indiana from 2004-10, where he eventually became the offensive coordinator. Canada is an offensive-minded guy that would fit in with WMU's wide open offense. He has coached in pro-style and spread offenses. He garnered high praises when hired at Wisconsin in January. This move seems to make sense on paper for both sides. Is Canada, a 1993 graduate of Indiana, ready for a major head coaching gig? Maybe, but in Kalamazoo he could pick up some head coaching experience in a mid-major program that has plenty of pieces in place and he can use WMU as a stepping stone. Meanwhile, Western Michigan gets a successful assistant coach that could elevate the program for a few years.

Illinois State coach Brock Spack seems to be in a good position to take the next step in his career. The 50-year-old has spent the past three seasons at FCS program Illinois State, where he has led the Redbirds to 6-5, 6-5 and 7-4 records respectively. He was Purdue's defensive coordinator from 1997-2008. Spack doesn't have any past experience in the MAC.